- CHOOSE A GREETING: Explain to the class that they will each choose a greeting word/phrase.
For example: Hello, Good day, Howdy, Why hello, Hola…
Demonstrate to the class by saying your greeting followed by your name (e.g., “Howdy, Ian!”).
Allow each student to say their chosen greeting followed by their name. - CREATE AN ACTION: Explain that each student will come up with a simple action to complement their
greeting.
Remind them to keep actions manageable for everyone to replicate (no cartwheels or splits).
Share an example action for your greeting (e.g., a big gesture with hands above the head for “Howdy” and a finger-click for “Ian”).
Give students a moment to think of their own actions, encouraging creativity while ensuring simplicity. - PRACTICE GREETINGS: Give students time to practice their groovy greetings with their actions. Encouragement: Move around the room, offering suggestions on how to make their greetings more dynamic with their voices and actions.
- GROUP SHARING: Have everyone gather in a circle. Go around the circle, having each student perform their greeting and action while the rest of the class repeats it back.
Repeat this process three times, increasing the speed each time to add excitement.
Inform the class that they will use these greetings throughout the term. Emphasise the importance of remembering each other’s greetings, as they will greet classmates with their respective greetings when they see them for the first time. - OPTIONAL FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY: Throughout the class, randomly call on students to demonstrate their greetings and have the rest of the class repeat, to keep the energy high and reinforce memory.